The AWA Odyssey

Anime Weekend Atlanta begins in 49 days. In this amount of time, I have to collect $305.52. So far, I have $101.85 (from me and Raven). I need 203.67 from Nikki, Nikki's friend, Stephen, and Alex. I haven't heard from Nikki in forever, and I hope to hear from Stephen this weekend. This room is awesome. It's a 1 King Bed Jacuzzi Suite with 1 King Bed, Jacuzzi Tub, Microwave, and Refrigerator

Features and amenities include:

Free Breakfast
Free Business Center
Free High Speed Internet
Gym/Fitness Center
Meeting Space
Pool

The room specifically has:
Roll-in-Shower
High Speed Internet - Wireless and Wired
Clock/Radio
Coffeemaker
Cordless Phone
Iron and Board
Hairdryer
27 inch Television with Direct TV - HBO, ESPN, CNN, MSNBC
Lounge Chair/Ottoman
Nintendo 64 Video Games
On-Demand Movies
Work Desk
Refrigerator
Microwave


The list goes on and on. Some individuals (who I think are extremely immature) are dead set at staying at the Renaissance Waverly, the con's official hotel. The hotel that my group is staying at is exactly .4 miles to the entrance to the Waverly. Our room is twice the size of most of the rooms that our other friends are getting at the Waverly. To be exact, to get our room at the Waverly (not including the AWESOME JACUZZI!), would be 567.72. DO THE MATH PEOPLE!

I had a very interesting conversation with Raven yesterday about con-goers. A majority live in this fantasy world, and don't take into perspective the time, money, and other expenses that any convention, especially one like AWA, contain. There are some things that most don't really seriously think about until the last minute, which will lead to a serious downfall. So I've come up with part one of a list of what I think everyone who is traveling to a con needs to consider.

Number One: I need to get a ticket. Where/How am I gonna do that?
After deciding to go to a con, you need to consider how you're gonna get a ticket. No ticket=NO CON. You need a ticket to get into the con, and get into all of the stuff you want to do at the con. No ticket=no dealers room, no movies, no concert, no nothing. And why go if you can't do anything? Most sites now have a pre-registration link that you use a credit card or mail in cash, check, or a money order. If you don't/can't do that, there's always a way to do it at the con. The official website is your friend. It will tell what you need to know about everything. Which leads to the the most important aspect of any trip: MONEY.

Number Two: How am I gonna pay for everything?
DO NOT GO TO A CON WITHOUT MONEY!!!! Everyone hates that one person who is begging for money to "go home", "buy some food", or even worse "get that extra special plushie." This is annoying, and shows a lack of maturity. If you go on any vacation (and I personally consider a con a vacation), you need to be prepared. Anime conventions warrant even more attention (costumes, all of the crap YOU WILL BUY, and that oh so important pocky). You need travel money, hotel money, spending money, food money, costume money (if you're gonna wear one), and extra money. You never know what can (and will) happen. Money makes the con go round!

Number Three: Who am I going with?
PICK YOUR TRAVEL BUDDIES WISELY!!!! If you know that "Bubba" never seems to get things together, DON'T INVITE BUBBA! You need mature and responsible people to accompany you. If you won't go to the mall with them, DON'T TAKE A TRIP WITH THEM! Also consider those with monetary restrictions and REMEMBER YOUR OWN. If you can't get things together in time, don't try to go. And if you can't go TELL EVERYONE ELSE IN A TIMELY FASHION!!! I'm sure seasoned con-goers have had that one person bail out at the last minute and completely mess up everything. One way to remedy that is a contract, but it shouldn't have to go that far. STRANGER=DANGER!!!! Get to know people before you go and vacation with them!

Number Four: How am I gonna get there?
Getting to the con has always been something that requires serious contemplation. Are you gonna drive, fly, carpool with someone, ride a bus (the worst possible choice in my opinion)? All of these transportation forms need money (see NUMBER ONE), and they need planning. You have to get the plane/bus ticket (don't forget all those baggage worries), or get your car in shape to travel (PLEASE, don't go anywhere far without getting your car checked out or tuned up). If you're carpooling, you need to get with the people you're going with and have a SERIOUS discussion of how much gas money will be need. Let's be honest, GAS IS NOT CHEAP. Don't expect the driver to take ten bucks for a trip over 50 miles. Even if you're friends, be conscious of the fact that no gas = no go to con! Don't forget kids, DON'T TRAVEL WITH STRANGERS!!!

Number Five: Where am I gonna stay?
I hate it when I'm at a con and someone asks, "You got any extra room where you're staying" or "Can I stay with you?" Why go somewhere of an extended amount of time and not have a definite place to sleep at night and keep your stuff? Once you have a group that you're near positive is going, you need to figure out where you're gonna "live". The most obvious (and sometimes most expensive) choice is the con hotel. Staying with friends or at one of the overflow hotels (like what my group's doing) are two other choices. When staying anywhere, the size of your group can really affect your experience. If your staying with friends, be courteous; IT ISN'T YOUR HOUSE! You are a guest, so act like a good one. Getting kicked out will suck. A standard hotel room (2 twin beds, one bathroom) with TEN PEOPLE can suck, yet be a pretty good time. It just depends on what type of person you are. No matter where you're staying remember to stay with PEOPLE THAT AT LEAST ONE PERSON IN THE GROUP KNOWS. NO COMPLETE STRANGERS! People you trust are a good idea too. You never really know everyone. Also make sure that everyone can afford the room. Don't get $500 suite if you don't have a way to pay for it!

Part Two is coming soon!